AD/AUS/6 Amdt 1 - Tailplane Bracing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The Regulations provide a comprehensive framework that governs various aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft maintenance and airworthiness directives. The problem addressed by this specific amendment, AD/AUS/6 Amendment 1, is the detection of cracks in the tailplane bracing wire strap fittings for Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes manufactured before January 1947. By requiring a visual inspection of these fittings, the amendment seeks to prevent potential failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The amendment, effective from 27 April 1995, also allows the pilot in command to perform, endorse, and certify this inspection, facilitating a more streamlined compliance process. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The policy objective of AD/AUS/6 Amendment 1 is to mitigate safety risks associated with the identified structural issue by ensuring regular inspections are conducted before each flight. This amendment reflects the regulatory authority's commitment to enhancing aircraft safety through proactive measures and empowering pilots to take direct action in maintaining the airworthiness of their aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/AUS/6 Amendment 1 applies to all Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes that were manufactured prior to January 1947. This directive, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandates a specific requirement for a visual inspection of the tailplane bracing wire strap fittings, particularly checking for any cracks near the retaining bolts. The directive is within the regulatory framework of the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It is noteworthy that the pilot in command is empowered to conduct this inspection, endorse it, and certify its completion on the Maintenance Release, facilitating a streamlined compliance process. This AD was enacted to address the issue of detected cracks in the bracing wire attachment fittings and has been effective since 27 April 1995, necessitating that the specified inspection occurs before the first flight of the day. This regulation extends across all applicable aircraft without explicit geographic limitations within Australian jurisdiction, ensuring consistent safety standards are maintained.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate an airworthiness directive (AD/AUS/6Amdt 1) that applies to all Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes manufactured before January 1947. This directive (Section 5) requires a visual inspection of the tailplane bracing wire strap fittings for cracks near the retaining bolts. The directive allows the pilot in command to perform this inspection, endorse it, and certify it on the Maintenance release (Section 5). This inspection must be carried out before the first flight of the day (Section 5). Under the AD/AUS/6Amdt 1, the primary obligation falls on the pilot in command of the aeroplane to ensure that the visual inspection of the tailplane bracing wire strap fittings is conducted meticulously before the first flight of the day. This requirement underscores the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of the aeroplane, specifically focusing on the identified vulnerability in the tailplane bracing wire attachment fittings. The pilot in command must perform the inspection, document the findings, and certify that the aeroplane is safe to fly based on the inspection results (Section 5). Failure to comply with the AD/AUS/6Amdt 1 may lead to significant consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in serious penalties. The maximum penalty for violating these safety directives includes fines and potential suspension of the aeroplane’s airworthiness certificate. This can not only affect the operational status of the aeroplane but also potentially lead to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers the safety of passengers and crew (Section 5). In summary, the AD/AUS/6Amdt 1 requires a thorough visual inspection of the tailplane bracing wire strap fittings for any cracks near the retaining bolts on Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes manufactured before January 1947. The pilot in command is responsible for conducting this inspection before the first flight of the day and ensuring compliance by endorsing and certifying the inspection on the Maintenance release. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines and potential suspension of the aeroplane’s airworthiness certificate, as well as criminal charges if safety is compromised.